A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint-Etienne vs. Reykjavik for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Reykjavik. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Saint-Etienne and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Reykjavik than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Reykjavik, Reykjavik has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Reykjavik is very popular for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its museums. Reykjavik is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. It is also well known for The Thermal Pools. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reykjavik and Saint-Etienne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Saint-Etienne is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint-Etienne and Reykjavik can be difficult as they are each reasonable in their own way.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Saint-Etienne. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Reykjavik may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Saint-Etienne and Reykjavik.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for hiking. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Reykjavik is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Reykjavik. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Reykjavik is very family-friendly. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Reykjavik is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reykjavik is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne and Reykjavik both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Reykjavik has a few public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

In either Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Saint-Etienne because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Families should spend more time in Reykjavik than Saint-Etienne. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Reykjavik, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Reykjavik than Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Reykjavik that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reykjavik than Saint-Etienne if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Reykjavik.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and museums around the city of Saint-Etienne. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the safe destination of Reykjavik. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of Saint-Etienne. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the authentic city of Saint-Etienne. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the green destination of Reykjavik. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

Saint-Etienne is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful city of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Etienne and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Saint-Etienne.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Reykjavik, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saint-Etienne is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 22°C (71°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Saint-Etienne is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the winter. The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. In the winter, Saint-Etienne is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint-Etienne in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Saint-Etienne during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In April, Saint-Etienne is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 11°C (53°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Reykjavik. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Saint-Etienne